Community Leaders Recognized: Their Actions Improve Lives

An Albuquerque man who devotes his time to educating his community about cyber threats. A Jacksonville woman whose child protection group assists law enforcement with crimes against children investigations. An Arizona organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of murder victims’ families. A man who established a volunteer organization in Delaware to serve at-risk youngsters.

Since 1990—through the Director’s Leadership Community Awards (DCLA)—the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations like these who have gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education. And this year is no exception: today, nearly 60 individuals and organizational representatives—all 2011 DLCA recipients—gathered for a ceremony in their honor at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Director Mueller, who presented a specially designed plaque to each recipient, called the honorees “catalysts for change” in their communities and said that each one shared “a willingness to lead....a commitment to improving your neighborhoods...and a desire to make this country safer for your fellow citizens.”

Each of our field offices is given the chance to present the award at the local level during the year, and the honorees are then recognized at the annual national ceremony the following spring. FBI Headquarters selects at least one winner as well. A snapshot of this year’s DCLA recipients shows the range of good work done across the nation:

■Anchorage: Covenant House Alaska offers services to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth and has been an essential partner of the FBI on our Innocence Lost Task Force and human trafficking cases.

■Boston: Ted Woo is a member of BRIDGES (Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity), a group of law enforcement and community leaders who work together on community concerns. Among other activities, Woo has coordinated several community events held in mosques and gurdwaras.

■Chicago: Brent King, whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered by a convicted sex offender, established a non-profit foundation dedicated to working with state legislatures to toughen restrictions on violent sexual predators.

■Jackson: Federal judge James Graves, Jr. is deeply committed to teaching, motivating, and inspiring Mississippi youth. He also mentors young people about the legal system.

■Kansas City: Marvin Szneler is the executive director of a Jewish organization that works to build relationships among various religious and community groups, government officials, law enforcement, educators, and the media.

■Miami: Essie Reed is the founder of Team of Life, Inc., an organization that serves at-risk children by providing meals, clothing, and transportation and encourages young people to help law enforcement reduce crime, drug abuse, and violence in their communities.

■Portland: Musse Olol, head of the Somali American Council of Oregon, assists Somali refugees by serving as an interpreter, facilitator, counselor, and co-sponsor and helps establish positive relationships between the Somali community and state and federal law enforcement.

■Tampa: Rose Ferlita established Bully Busters, a national anti-bullying program involving partnerships among young people, parents, local law enforcement, and community groups.

Congratulations to all the winners. It’s our hope that their selfless actions to enhance the lives of neighbors and protect communities will inspire others to offer their time and talents to their own communities.

FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award Presented to Regal Entertainment Group

The Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce Regal Entertainment Group as the recipient of the 2011 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. Regal received this award in recognition of its invaluable collaboration with the FBI in combating crimes against children.

The Director’s Community Leadership Award was established by the Director of the FBI in 1990 to publicly recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations actively involved in community crime prevention. It is bestowed annually on one individual or organization from each of the FBI’s 56 field offices.

During the fall of 2011, Regal partnered with the FBI to promote the FBI’s Safe Online Surfing Program (FBI-SOS) on a national level by airing a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) in theatres nationwide for one week. Additionally, the PSA ran for two weeks on Regal’s Lobby Entertainment Network (LEN). The LEN is comprised of multiple, large-screen, LCD television screens located throughout the lobbies of all Regal theaters.

On March 16, 2012, Mr. Richard Westerling, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Advertising, traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award personally from FBI Director Robert Mueller. Edward Herbst, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Knoxville Field Office offered, “The FBI is grateful to Regal for its collaboration in educating parents and children about Internet safety. Their sponsorship of this important initiative is emblematic of Regal’s exemplary service to our communities.”

FBI Director Recognizes Distinguished Community Leaders

In a ceremony held today at FBI Headquarters, Director Robert S. Mueller, III recognized the recipients of the 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award. These leaders, selected by their area FBI field offices, have made outstanding contributions to their local communities and demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of their neighbors. The FBI is grateful for the work each of these individuals and organizations have done on behalf of their communities.

“You are all determined to create a safer world for our children. You are all dedicated to protecting our neighborhoods from crime and violence. Just as important, you are all devoted to upholding the rule of law and defending the freedoms we cherish,” said Director Mueller in commending this year’s award recipients.

Recipients of the 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award are:

■Sam and Linda Palazzole (Albany)

■Thomas Craig (Albuquerque)

■Covenant House Alaska (Anchorage)

■A Future. Not a Past. (Atlanta)

■Allen “Duffy” Samuels (Baltimore)

■Patricia A. McCay (Birmingham)

■Ted Woo (Boston)

■Joseph M. Tripi (Buffalo)

■Gang Alternative Principles (Charlotte)

■Brent A. King (Chicago)

■Columbus Global Academy (Cincinnati)

■Jimmy Malone (Cleveland)

■Dr. Robert L. Kirton (Columbia)

■William Walsh (Dallas)

■Allan Wick (Denver)

■Edward Deeb (Detroit)

■Gabriella Edwards (El Paso)

■Hawaii Internet Safety Awards Program (Honolulu)

■Stephen Gartrell (Houston)

■2012 Super Bowl Host Committee (Indianapolis)

■The Honorable James E. Graves, Jr. (Jackson)

■Valerie Stanley (Jacksonville)

■Marvin Szneler (Kansas City)

■Regal Entertainment Group (Knoxville)

■Tim Wong (Las Vegas)

■Kathy Manis Findley (Little Rock)

■I Have a Dream Foundation (Los Angeles)

■Norman Mayer (Louisville)

■Greg Lemon (Memphis)

■Essie Reed (Miami)

■Garry Henning (Milwaukee)

■PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center (Minneapolis)

■Bruce L. Brown (Mobile)

■Dr. Joan Rivitz (Newark)

■Dr. Steven Perry (New Haven)

■Herreast Harrison (New Orleans)

■The Honorable Bruce M. Balter (New York)

■Robert E. Stephens (Norfolk)

■Susan Agel (Oklahoma City)

■Willie Barney (Omaha)

■Stacy Irving (Philadelphia)

■Homicide Survivors, Inc. (Phoenix)

■James Krenn (Pittsburgh)

■Musse Olol (Portland)

■Ian M. Danielsen (Richmond)

■Women Escaping a Violent Environment (Sacramento)

■Anthony Thompson (St. Louis)

■Blackfeet Housing Project’s Pikanii Action Team (Salt Lake City)

■Robert B. Grau (San Antonio)

■KSWB-TV Fox 5 San Diego (San Diego)

■Futures Without Violence (San Francisco)

■Angeline Liang (San Juan)

■Paul Bascomb (Seattle)

■Dave Benton (Springfield)

■Rose Ferlita (Tampa)

■Hector R. Sealey (Washington Field)

■Matt Rudder (CJIS)

■Ken Klein (Office of Public Affairs)

San Diego Native with the U.S. Border Patrol to Accept Prestigious CBP Team Award

San Diego — Gerald Wilke, an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent (ACPA), with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego Sector, has been designated to represent team members and receive the CBP Mission Integration Award on their behalf. This award recognizes an important and successful team effort that demonstrates a cross-organizational approach when developing and implementing a solution to address a significant problem. ACPA Wilke will be presented with the award by the CBP Commissioner at the annual CBP 2012 Awards Ceremony today, in Washington D.C.

ACPA Wilke was a team member comprised of high level managers from a diverse group of San Diego based federal agencies formed to collaboratively address the increasing use of the maritime environment by criminal organizations as a method to smuggle drugs and people into the country.

The maritime domain is a high-risk environment that poses significant danger of death and serious injury to human life. Maritime smuggling vessels are often overloaded and not seaworthy. Maritime smuggling generally occurs at hours of darkness and vessel operators rarely use required safety equipment. Maritime vessel operators often intently smuggle during inclement weather and hazardous sea state to evade detection. The team successfully created and implemented a consequence delivery strategy specific to the San Diego region called the Maritime Safety Initiative (MSI) designed to prevent this unsafe and illegal maritime smuggling activity.

Under MSI, all illegal maritime migrants are formally removed, informed of the consequences of re-entering through the maritime domain, and then transported outside of the California corridor to be repatriated to Mexico. Maritime migrants that choose to illegally re-enter through the San Diego maritime domain are referred for prosecution for felony re-entry after deportation. Maritime smugglers are also targeted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for prioritized criminal prosecution.

ACPA Wilke said, “Each team member greatly contributed to the success in the creation, implementation, and execution of the Maritime Safety Initiative with a primary focus to promote the preservation of life at sea and the enforcement of U.S. laws.” He added, “The Maritime Safety Initiative demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work together and share resources to accomplish a common goal."

After the implementation of the MSI during Fiscal Year 2011, maritime smuggling trends have significantly decreased as witnessed by a reduction in maritime apprehensions from 867 apprehensions in fiscal year 2010 to 631 in fiscal year 2011.

ACPA Wilke will accept the CBP Mission Integration Award on behalf of team members Mark V. Dunbar with the U.S. Border Patrol, William P. Snyder and John E. Garzon with the Office of Field Operations, William Raymond, with the Office of Air and Marine, Michael P. Carney, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Michael Wheat, with the Assistant United States Attorney Office and Patricia L. Hill, with the United States Coast Guard.

Gerald, a San Diego native, served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces from 1980 through 1984 and later attended San Diego Mesa College. In 2010, he successfully completed a CBP Command Leadership Academy. Gerald has worked for the U.S. Border Patrol since 1986.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Armando Fernandez Named Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Armando Fernandez special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Division. Mr. Fernandez most recently served as section chief of the Counterterrorism Internet Operations Section, Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters, which manages and targets counterterrorism investigations on the Internet.

After completing New Agent Training in Quantico, Virginia, Mr. Fernandez was assigned to the San Antonio Division, Austin Resident Agency. He investigated organized crime matters and violent crimes. In 1996, he transferred to the Brownsville Resident Agency, where he investigated drug cases.

In April 2001, Mr. Fernandez returned to Headquarters where he was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Drug Section, Special Operations Division. He transferred to the Communication Exploitation Section in January 2003. Later that year, he was promoted to field supervisor of the Criminal Enterprise Squad, Dallas Division. Mr. Fernandez was reassigned as a counterterrorism supervisor in January 2005.

In December 2006, Mr. Fernandez was promoted to assistant special agent in charge in the Phoenix Division, where he was responsible for the National Security Branch. In September 2008, he was the on-scene commander in Afghanistan and also provided support to the U.S. Armed Services Special Operations Units.

In March 2009, he was promoted to section chief in the Counterterrorism Division’s Communications Exploitation Section at Headquarters. This section provides technical and analytical capabilities in support of counterterrorism investigations.

Perrye K. Turner Named Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has named Perrye Turner special agent in charge of the FBI’s Louisville Division. Mr. Turner most recently served as deputy assistant director of the Information Technology Engineering Division at FBI Headquarters (FBI HQ).

Mr. Turner entered on duty as a special agent in 1991 and was assigned to the Birmingham Division, Huntsville Resident Agency, and in 1995, the New Orleans Division, Monroe Resident Agency, where he worked criminal investigative matters.

In 1999, Mr. Turner was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigation Division at FBI HQ. Mr. Turner worked in the Drug Section, Mexican/Criminal Syndicates Unit.

Mr. Turner served as a field supervisor in 2001 where he was assigned to the Jackson Division’s Criminal Enterprise Squad. While in Jackson, he later worked in the Field Intelligence Group in August 2004.

In August 2005, Mr. Turner was promoted to assistant special agent in charge in the Memphis Division. He managed the criminal and administrative programs for three years, and all national security branch programs for two years.

Mr. Turner earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and statistics from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana and a masters of business administration from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. He is a native of Shreveport, La.

Edward Deeb Receives 2011 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today that Edward Deeb was named the recipient of the 2011 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA).

The DCLA is presented annually by the FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, to a recipient in each of the FBI’s 56 domestic field offices. Established in 1990, the DCLA is designed to publicly recognize an individual or organization that has helped with crime prevention and educational programs within their community which have furthered the efforts of law enforcement.

In selecting Mr. Deeb as the 2011 recipient of this prestigious award, noted were his many contributions over the years as a community leader who proactively stays on the forefront in an effort to build better relationships between the private sector and the community. Mr. Deeb co-founded and annually coordinates Metro Detroit Youth Day (MDYD), an event that draws more than 35,000 to Belle Isle each July.

MDYD is the largest youth event in Michigan, and has drawn over 700,000 youth over the years. The youth day event was inspired following altercations in 1980 between youth and area retailers in Detroit. The mayor met with community leaders to calm tensions, and Ed Deeb met with retailers urging them to be more sensitive to youth in an effort to help restore calm to the community. The mayor personally asked Ed Deeb to do something to help resolve the rising tensions between area businesses and youth residing in business communities.

Not only has MDYD become a yearly tradition that is highly anticipated by thousands of youth each year, it has become a national model youth event, and has received countless honors and proclamations from all areas of our state and nation to include the Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush.

Co-founder Ed Deeb is the driving force of MDYD. He is chairman and coordinator and donates much of his time and energy to this event.

It is with great pleasure that the Detroit Division awards Mr. Edward Deeb with the 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 1:00 p.m., at the office of the Detroit Division FBI, located at 477 Michigan Avenue, 26th floor, Detroit, Michigan 48226.

If you are interested in attending, please contact PAS Simon Shaykhet.

Futures Without Violence Receives 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award from FBI San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO—Futures Without Violence, formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund, was presented the 2011 Director’s Community Leadership Award on behalf of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas announced Feb. 15.

The annual award was created in 1990 as a way to honor and recognize individuals and organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty in service to their community in the area of drug and violence education and prevention.

“I am honored to present this award today to Futures Without Violence for the extraordinary efforts and courageous work they do in our community,” said Douglas. “It is no secret that children and women of all ages are at risk of domestic and sexual violence. The FBI takes crimes against children and women seriously through programs such as the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program, innocent images criminal program which targets child pornography, and in our day-to-day interaction with our local, state, and other federal law enforcement partners in combating these sorts of crimes.”

From domestic and dating violence to child abuse and sexual assault, Futures Without Violence works to end violence against women and children. The organization advances the health, stability, education, and security of women, girls, men, and boys throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more than 30 years, Futures Without Violence has reached new audiences and transformed social norms paving the way for national action campaigns, ground-breaking legislation and professional training programs designed to build the positive relationships that all individuals, families and communities need and deserve. In particular, Futures Without Violence was instrumental in developing the landmark Violence Against Women Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1994.

“Today’s award is an honor and amplifies our efforts to recognize that for people to be healthy, they must be able to live free of violence,” said Esta Soler, director and founder of Futures Without Violence. “We are proud to join the dedicated set of past recipients that share in our mission of creating futures without violence.”

In 2011, Futures Without Violence moved its headquarters to the Presidio of San Francisco, designed as a state-of-the-art global hub for innovation, leadership, and action where individuals and allied organizations from around the world will gather to realize the possibility of a world without violence. With offices in Washington D.C. and Boston as well, Futures Without Violence continues to focus on promoting the safety and wellbeing of all through education, advocacy and prevention programs that teach adolescents about the importance of healthy relationships. The organization also increasingly works on policy and programs that advance the status of women and girls around the globe by investing in their health, education and economic participation.

For more information about the Director’s Community Leadership Award, contact FBI Community Outreach Specialist Alicia Sensibaugh at 415-558-2505.

Vice Chief Talks Strategy and Leadership

From Naval Postgraduate School Public Affairs

MONTEREY, Calif. (NNS) (NNS) -- The vice chief of naval operations delivered a Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture (SGL) to students, faculty and staff of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Feb. 16 in King Auditorium.

Adm. Mark Ferguson's remarks focused on Navy's role in defense strategy and priorities recently announced as part of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget submission. He also discussed other personnel and readiness topics.

Held several times throughout the year, SGLs provide insights into current and emerging national security priorities from the leaders who guide them, and help students and faculty link their study, teaching and research efforts to the defense needs of the nation.

"Our strategy places a premium on global presence with a rebalance toward Asia-Pacific and the Middle East" said Ferguson. "It balances future capability with current readiness."

Ferguson told the audience that while in some cases force structure may be reduced, the Navy and Marine Corps will remain "agile, flexible, ready, and technologically advanced while retaining core Navy-Marine Corps warfighting capabilities."

Emphasizing the Navy's critical role in national security and economic prosperity, Ferguson said that the Chief of Naval Operations' three tenets of warfighting first, operate forward and be ready were the "lenses" that Navy budget priorities where focused through.

Before taking questions from the audience, Ferguson discussed what he believes is expected from Navy leaders and how they must make a difference daily.

"Be ready to lead--each of you are empowered to make contibutions and commitments to make our Navy a better place," he said. "In today's Navy you have to bring your 'A-game' every day."

Ferguson is a 1984 graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science, and was honored with the university's Distinguished Alumni Award in December of 2008

In addition to SGL remarks Ferguson and his wife Lauré met with U.S. and international Sailors, civilians and families from NPS and Naval Support Activity (NSA) Monterey.